Rapid and efficient removal of organic matter from sewage sludge for extraction of microplastics
Issued Date
2022-12-20
Resource Type
ISSN
00489697
eISSN
18791026
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85138058950
Pubmed ID
36096229
Journal Title
Science of the Total Environment
Volume
853
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Science of the Total Environment Vol.853 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Maw M.M., Boontanon N., Fujii S., Boontanon S.K. Rapid and efficient removal of organic matter from sewage sludge for extraction of microplastics. Science of the Total Environment Vol.853 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158642 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87531
Title
Rapid and efficient removal of organic matter from sewage sludge for extraction of microplastics
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is recognized as an emerging global issue; however, no standardized method for the extraction of these pollutants from the environment currently exists and existing methods are ineffective for specific environmental matrices. An appropriate organic matter removal method is essential for the extraction of microplastics from organic-rich sludge to minimize interference during their identification and enhance compatibility of the identification steps. The present study aimed to establish an effective technique for the digestion of organic matter-rich sludge using hydrogen peroxide and Fenton's reagent at varying temperatures, times, and concentrations of an iron catalyst. The organic matter removal efficiency of the five protocols utilized varied from 81.5 % to 87.1 %. Polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) retained most of their physical and chemical properties after the treatments, with minor changes in the surface area, weight, and FTIR spectra properties. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET fiber, polyamide (PA) fiber, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fiber were significantly degraded via treating with H2O2 at 50 °C for 24 h. Protocol 4, treating with Fenton's reagent (H2O2 (30 %) + (0.05 M) FeSO4.7H2O) at 50 °C for 1 h is proposed as a rapid and effective method for the removal of organic matter from sludge. In addition to its rapidity, this method minimally impacts most polymers, and its high organic matter removal efficiency is associated with a significant reduction of suspended solids in sludge. The present study provides a validated approach that facilitates as an effective organic removal step during the extraction of MPs in sludge.